Crossroads: Leap of Faith [Siren APP Exclusive] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Me either.”

  Then the car made another noise as she placed it into drive and loudly exited the parking lot.

  “What do you think?” Miles asked Nikko.

  “I think I like her.”

  “No shit. So do I. But she didn’t seem too thrilled at the hint of us coming as a package.”

  “She didn’t seem offended or opposed to it either. Ménage relationships are pretty common around here. Her blonde friend was hanging out with some people involved in one.”

  “I don’t know. I hope she shows up tomorrow,” Nikko said as Miles held the door to the bar open for him.

  He watched his brother head back toward the bar and the guys. At least Nikko wasn’t so down and angry like earlier. It seemed to him that Suzette instantly changed his attitude. Maybe she was special after all?

  Chapter 3

  Suzette was so nervous and she couldn’t understand why as her aunt locked the doors to the car and they each took one of the twins’ hands. She had Lilly’s and Aunt Marilyn had Tommy’s.

  “I no like rides. I don’t go on them,” Tommy said in his cute little voice that made her chuckle.

  “I’m not a big fan either, buddy. We don’t have to. There are plenty of games, cotton candy, and ice cream, too.”

  “Yummy. Ice cream,” Lilly cheered and swung her body forward, wanting Suzette to walk faster.

  Suzette glanced at Aunt Marilyn.

  “I think lunch first would be a good idea,” Aunt Marilyn added, and winked. Suzette felt her belly tighten again as the smell of grilled food wafted through the air and the setup of grills and tents came into sight. Would Miles and Nikko be there? Would they overthink why she came? After all, she had expected to just hang out at the house, but then Aunt Marilyn suggested going out together as a family. The kids loved when they were all together.

  “I want a hot dog,” Tommy exclaimed.

  “Burger,” Lilly added, and they approached the crowded tables. Suzette looked around for the two men but hadn’t seen them yet. Knowing that they were over six feet tall and filled with muscles, she couldn’t possibly have missed them. She was shocked at the disappointed feeling she had when they got the kids their lunch, grabbed two burgers for her and Aunt Marilyn, and then searched for a table in the shade.

  “Hey, social worker.” Suzette turned toward the voice and was pleasantly surprised to see Big Guns. He approached, gave her a hug, and then Aunt Marilyn greeted him.

  “Leonard, how nice to see you again. It’s been so long.” He gave Aunt Marilyn a smile, and both Lilly and Tommy looked up at him.

  They heard a whistle, and then Big Guns looked behind Suzette and waved someone over. A quick glance over her shoulder and she saw Miles and Nikko.

  Her heart nearly leaped from her chest, and she actually felt her jaw begin to drop. Miles and Nikko were gorgeous. They were decked out in camo pants, with tight black T-shirts that had their SWAT logo on the chest. As they locked gazes with her, they smiled, and she felt it straight to her pussy.

  “Aunt Suzette, I need kessup,” Tommy told her.

  “It’s ketchup, honey, and I’ll grab you some.”

  “I grabbed some already,” Aunt Marilyn said, taking a seat across from the kids and opening up the small packet.

  When Suzette looked up, both Nikko and Miles were there.

  “My God, Suzette, the kids have gotten so big,” Big Guns said with a smile as he looked at them.

  She smiled.

  “I know.”

  “Hey, there you are. We were starting to think that you may not show up,” Miles teased as he approached. She was shocked as he leaned down to kiss her cheek while placing his hand on her hip against the small space where the waist of her capris and her shirt touched. She felt it against her skin and straight to her belly. The warmth from the small, brief contact was enough to get her blood pumping. She had never experienced such a response from her body just from a man touching her in a casual way. Why her mind imagined him exploring her further and in a more intimate setting, she couldn’t understand either. But being guarded and rather pessimistic of the opposite sex, Suzette shyly stepped from his hold.

  “The kids wanted to come, and my aunt thought it would be nice to head out as a family,” she added, and then Nikko moved closer but he didn’t go to kiss her. He looked at the kids and then back to her.

  She had a feeling that he wasn’t thrilled about the kids, and that just made it easier for her to push the attraction to him aside. After all, she didn’t need any extra aggravation in her life. Especially not men who didn’t like kids. That was an instant turnoff right there for her.

  “Aunt Marilyn, meet Miles and Nikko. They work with Leonard,” she said and then sat down next to Tommy.

  “Who they, Aunt Suzette?” he asked, and she looked up and Nikko’s eyes widened.

  “These are friends of mine,” Suzette stated.

  “Yes, Tommy, Lilly. Leonard knew your mommy,” Aunt Marilyn stated, and Leonard smiled and then squatted down next to the table.

  “You knew Mommy?” Lilly asked, turning toward him.

  Suzette felt her chest tighten and emotion and tears fill up behind her eyes.

  “I sure did. She was a very nice lady. You two both look like Astella,” he said and smiled. Lilly and Tommy chuckled and then went back to eating.

  Suzette caressed Tommy’s shaggy blond hair and then looked out toward the lake. There were a lot of great memories down here. But she had denied herself any time to remember them. It just hurt too much. It was easier to go on with life one day at a time, and without meaningless hopes of never having such fears and distrust again.

  “Would you gentlemen like to join us for lunch?” Aunt Marilyn asked, making Suzette snap out of her daze. She looked at her aunt, who winked at her as Big Guns stated that he would go grab some burgers with Miles.

  Nikko walked around the table.

  “That’s great. Thank you,” he said and then took a seat right next to Suzette.

  Having him this close to her was torture. He smelled really good, and boy, was he a big man with major muscles. His perfect physique made her feel like she should be hitting a gym or focusing on her nutrition or something. Instead she was lucky enough to have a fast metabolism. Thank God for that, because if she had to give up junk food and candy, she would seriously lose her mind. He held her gaze, and she could practically see he was filled with questions.

  “These aren’t your kids?” he asked her.

  Suzette swallowed hard.

  She glanced at Aunt Marilyn, who definitely was putting two and two together, and she cringed. She sure didn’t need her aunt trying to play matchmaker. Suzette preferred being alone.

  “My sister’s. She passed away a few years ago.”

  “So this is your niece and nephew?” he asked in confirmation as he gave her a look that was both sympathetic and something else. Whatever it was, he would surely ask her more questions when he had the opportunity.

  Big Guns and Miles returned, taking seats at the table and talking to Aunt Marilyn and the kids.

  “Do you two like rides? There are lots of them and five different jumping castles,” Miles said to Lilly and Tommy.

  “No rides. Not going,” Tommy said.

  “Jumping castles? Yeah!” Lilly said as she wiggled on the seat smiling and waving her hands in the air. They all laughed.

  “We’ll do that and see what other things they have down the boardwalk,” Suzette told them and smiled at Lilly.

  “There’s a sand castles contest on the beach. Some officers from the police department entered this year,” Nikko added.

  “Sand castles? Oh, cool. Can we go? Can we?” Tommy asked excitedly.

  “Yes. Of course we can,” Aunt Marilyn replied with a smile.

  Before long, just like last night, they were chatting away until the kids got restless.

  “I’ll walk them down by the games. You can meet us there,” Aunt Marilyn told her.
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br />   “I’ll come, too,” Suzette replied.

  “No, really. You stay and chat with your friends and make plans,” Aunt Marilyn said and then stood up and reached for the empty paper plates.

  “I’ll get those, Aunt Marilyn, and I’ll walk with you and the kids,” Big Guns spoke up, and Suzette saw him wink at Miles and Nikko. Great. Now Big Guns was playing matchmaker. Revenge is sweet.

  * * * *

  Miles helped to throw away the garbage, and when he returned he took the seat that the kids had vacated. Now Suzette was sitting between him and his brother, a place he hoped that she would be more often.

  She crossed her legs and clasped her hands on her lap as she watched the two kids walk away with Aunt Marilyn and Big Guns. They were holding the kids’ hands and heading toward the pier where the games were.

  “Cute kids,” Miles whispered. When a small breeze filtered through the air, her hair pushed back and his nostrils filled with the scent of her shampoo. It was clean, fresh, and natural, just like Suzette. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, she dressed pretty conservatively, and she looked just as sexy and attractive in her relaxed clothes as she did in her dress last night.

  “Thank you. They can be a handful, but we manage,” she said as she turned to look up at him.

  She swallowed hard. She appeared intimidated. He reached over and placed his fingers under her chin. When she tried to lower her head, he wouldn’t allow it.

  “Don’t. Please, Suzette. Tell me why you lied to us.”

  Nikko leaned against her and placed his hand on her shoulder as he straddled the bench seat they were sitting on.

  “Did you really think that having two kids would turn us off?” Nikko whispered and then moved her hair from her shoulder to place a kiss against the side of her neck.

  “Well?” Miles asked, expecting an answer.

  She hesitated, and he could feel her pulse racing.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  Miles smiled.

  “That was silly to think that. We like kids. They don’t frighten us, Suzette. We like you. We’re attracted to you, and want to get to know you.”

  “Why?” she asked. He was shocked.

  “Because you’re beautiful, and sweet,” Nikko whispered and then kissed her neck again.

  “Nikko, stop, please,” she reprimanded softly as she closed her eyes.

  “I can’t. You smell so good.”

  “We were so thrilled to see you here. What are you doing tomorrow? Can you meet us for lunch or dinner?”

  She opened her eyes to look at Miles. He had a stern expression enhanced by firm lips and a perfectly chiseled face like a gladiator. She had the urge to touch her fingers to his skin or even his lips to confirm the solidity. But she didn’t. He released her chin and placed his hand over hers, which remained on her lap.

  “Listen, I really don’t have time to date or fool around. You two could have your pick of women. I’m sorry. I—”

  “We don’t want just any woman. The moment you walked into Crossroads last night, we both spotted you and we both couldn’t stop thinking about you after you left. That’s never happened before.”

  “I find that hard to believe, Miles. Do women really fall for that line?” she asked and stood up.

  Miles took her hand, and when she turned around, she wound up between his thighs. He placed his free hand against her hip.

  “Don’t do that. Don’t push us away because you’re scared.”

  “Scared? Why would I be scared?”

  Her defensive tone told him he was right on the money.

  “You’re shaking right now,” Miles whispered and then caressed the arm of the hand he was holding.

  “We would never hurt you, Suzette,” Nikko told her as he stood up next to her.

  She turned to look at him.

  * * * *

  “You can’t make a statement like that,” she replied. Despite her need to fight this attraction and give him a hard time about his statement, it seemed that their close proximity was more powerful. She could simply reach up and touch Nikko’s chest, let her palm gently roam over his tight SWAT shirt. But she didn’t. She inhaled their cologne, and the pleasant smell had her leaning closer to Miles.

  They were both silent a moment, probably wondering what happened in her life to make her too fearful to entertain their advances.

  “My God, who hurt you? Who made you so pessimistic and untrusting?” Miles asked her.

  She opened her mouth to speak, and nothing came out. Then she swallowed hard again.

  “I’m uncomfortable with this.”

  “With what? We’re gentlemen. We haven’t done anything to make you feel otherwise. Have we?” Nikko asked. She looked at him and then back at Miles.

  “That. What you just said. You both keep saying ‘we,’” she stated firmly.

  “That’s because we come as a package. We both want to get to know you,” Miles told her.

  “Are you afraid of that type of relationship?” Nikko asked.

  “No. I know a lot of people who have open relationships.”

  “We don’t do open relationships. It’s called ménage. Two men sharing one woman. Caring for her, doting on her,” Miles whispered as he stroked his thumb against the small bit of skin under her tank top and blouse.

  She was breathing a bit heavier.

  “You mean in the bedroom?”

  “Everywhere,” Miles whispered and pulled her a little closer. She had to place her hands on his shoulders so that she wouldn’t lose her balance. The moment her hands pressed against him, she felt the rock-solid muscles beneath the T-shirt. She was instantly attracted to him. To both of them. Her mind jumped into fast-forward, and she could only imagine what he looked like without the shirt.

  He held her by her hips as he scooted closer. Nikko stood right behind her.

  “Don’t be afraid. Go out on a date with us, and see where it leads,” Nikko said and then smiled softly.

  “I’m very busy right now. I have to meet someone tomorrow. I really don’t have time for relationships and dating. Maybe we can talk more on the boats next weekend?”

  “A whole week without seeing you or talking to you? No can do, baby,” Miles told her. She shook her head and kind of chuckled at his words.

  “Maybe we can meet for coffee during the week or even lunch?” Nikko suggested.

  “Maybe.”

  “Can you give us your cell number?”

  “I guess so. I’d better go help my aunt. Today was supposed to be her semirelaxing day.”

  Miles let her step out of his hold, and she immediately felt the loss.

  “Okay, sweetness, what’s your number?” Nikko asked as he held out his cell phone, ready to type in the number.

  Suzette shook her head.

  “I must be losing my mind,” she said and then rattled off the number.

  Miles smiled. “You won’t regret this. We guarantee it.”

  Chapter 4

  Murphy Walker and his brother Roger exited the room. Murphy was running his fingers through his hair. He was frustrated and upset. Suzette understood that. As a social worker, she had seen this type of denial and self-sacrifice play out many times before. Many women who were in abusive relationships like this felt so scared and alone they actually thought they couldn’t live without the batterer. In this case, Evonna was doing just that. She was scared, and she was hurting both physically and emotionally.

  It was difficult to sit here beside her on the couch, looking at a beautiful young woman all beaten and swollen. She deserved better, and Suzette was compelled to help her.

  “He doesn’t get it. Uncle Roger and even his brother. I shouldn’t be here. I should go back,” Evonna said in between sniffling.

  Suzette pulled a tissue from the box on the coffee table and handed it to her.

  “Evonna, let me ask you something.”

  “No. I don’t know why my uncle called you. I don’t want to talk about anything. I just want t
o get back. I need to get back.”

  “Ray nearly killed you.”

  “No. No, he was just upset that the neighbors called the police. Those guys from SWAT were crazy. They broke through the door and Ray was trying to protect me,” she said.

  Denial. How can I make her understand that this isn’t a normal healthy relationship?

  Evonna’s cell phone went off again. Murphy had told Suzette that Ray was trying to contact her, but his brother’s niece kept denying it.

  “Is that him? Texting you?”

  Evonna looked up with tears in her eyes.

  “He loves me and I love him.”

  “Okay. Let’s try something. Put the phone down. Don’t answer it. Don’t think about his words, his messages or threats, or anything he has said to you.”

  As she said “threats,” Evonna snapped her head up toward Suzette.

  “Tell me about Ray.”

  Evonna twisted her hands together in a nervous response.

  “That’s private.”

  “Oh, come on. I would like to hear about him. Maybe what types of things he does to show love and affection, and that he cares. I would like to understand where you stand here. Sometimes couples just need some help working out their emotions. You know, like sometimes there are disagreements and it starts out small but then suddenly escalates into something huge.”

  “That happens in all relationships.”

  “Does it?”

  “Yes. He loves me. He just has a short temper, and he gets jealous easily.”

  “Is that what started the argument the other night?”

  Evonna nodded her head.

  “I bet you apologized for starting it even though you didn’t. You know, to ease the tension of the situation so it wouldn’t escalate like it usually does.”

  “I did. He had been drinking a little, and it makes things worse.” She wrung her hands together as she stared at her lap.

  “Alcohol can do that. Give him some slack.”

  Evonna stared at her, but Suzette held her ground. Evonna was smart. She just needed a little push.